Explore every episode of the podcast Outdoor Journal Radio: The Podcast

What if your boat arrived at the cottage ready for the season—and someone picked it up when you were done?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome back Rob Racine from J&B Cycle and Marine to explore a different approach to boat ownership. Through Freedom Cruise Canada, customers can rent a pontoon for an entire season, with delivery, equipment, insurance arrangements, and pickup handled as part of the program.

Rob explains how it works, why some customers prefer renting even when they could afford to buy, and what happens if you decide you want to keep the boat. The boys also dig into his plans to sell boats from the returning rental fleet online and deliver them to buyers.

Then the conversation turns to the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail—and the debate gets lively. Rob outlines plans for separate LiveScope and non-LiveScope divisions, changes to championship qualification, and a revised over/under catch format. Will these changes bring more anglers into tournaments? Does changing the limit put more emphasis on skill or luck? Ang and Pete have plenty to say.

Before Rob joins, Nik and Dean help the boys tackle ESPN’s sports-difficulty ranking, the never-ending walleye-versus-pickerel argument, and whether carp deserves a better reputation at the dinner table.

Would you rent a boat for the season, or will ownership always be part of the appeal? Let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to Outdoor Journal Radio for more fishing stories, outdoor news, and conversations with Ang and Pete.

Thank you to the sponsors of today’s episode!

• The Invasive Species Centre — Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species.

• SAIL — The ultimate destination for your outdoor adventures.

• J&B Cycle and Marine — Your home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment.

• Freedom Cruise Canada — Rent the boat. Own the memories.

Explore the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail.

Shop the Fish’n Canada Store.

Find more episodes of Outdoor Journal Radio.

Seeing a walleye on LiveScope is one thing. Getting your bait where that fish can actually see it is another.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman, Dean Taylor, and Nik Viola break down a challenging Fish’n Canada shoot on Wabigoon Lake. Between brutal weather, murky water, and fish that wouldn’t cooperate, the crew had to work for the catches that would eventually make the show.

From their stay at Wabigoon Lake Outfitters, formerly Indian Point Camp, to scouting with local guide Simon Baker, the guys share what happened behind the cameras—and why a polished television episode never tells the whole story. They discuss forward-facing sonar, precise lure placement, blade adjustments, boat control, and knowing when to keep casting instead of moving on.

The trip also produced an enormous concentration of whitefish and a mystery fish on sonar that left everyone guessing.

Before heading to Wabigoon, a listener’s success trolling a Senko gets the crew talking about fishing familiar baits in unfamiliar ways. Can following the “rules” of a lure keep you from discovering something that works?

Also on the show: plans for Fish’n Canada memberships, bonus footage and archives; the footage that never makes television; AI and fishing content; grass carp awareness; whirling disease; boat delivery and leasing; and Angelo’s lawn-service rant.

Have you caught a great fish using a bait the “wrong” way? Tell us what you tried in the comments.

Subscribe to Outdoor Journal Radio for more fishing stories, outdoor conversations, and behind-the-scenes banter with the Fish’n Canada crew.

Explore Fish’n Canada:
Website
Shop Fish’n Canada merchandise

Mentioned in this episode:
Wabigoon Lake Outfitters
Invasive Carp Canada

Thanks to our sponsors:
Invasive Species Centre
Freedom Cruise Canada
J&B Cycle and Marine
SAIL

Some salmon populations are showing signs of recovery. Others remain in serious trouble. What’s actually happening on Canada’s West Coast?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome Dr. Katrina Connors from the Pacific Salmon Foundation to break down the state of wild salmon in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Katrina explains why strong fishing in one area doesn’t tell the whole story, how researchers track fish across an enormous ocean, and what the numbers reveal about Chinook, coho, pink salmon, and more. The conversation covers hatcheries, open-net pen farms, changing ocean conditions, and the surprising connection between log booms and salmon predation.

The boys also ask what anglers can do to help—from handling released fish more carefully to reconsidering the traditional “hero shot” and letting the biggest fish go.

Before Katrina joins, the crew discusses disease research involving wild Chinook, shares a few salmon-cooking stories, and tackles a tough listener question: if you could keep only one hard bait and one soft plastic, what would you choose?

Explore the work discussed:

• Pacific Salmon Foundation
• Pacific Salmon Explorer
• State of Salmon report

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Invasive Species Centre
• SAIL
• J&B Cycle & Marine
• Freedom Cruise Canada

Shop Fish’n Canada
More Outdoor Journal Radio episodes

Two fertile grass carp were caught in Ontario’s Welland River. How worried should anglers be, and what do those captures actually tell us?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome back Fisheries and Oceans Canada aquatic biologist Trisiah Tugade to get the facts on grass carp in Canadian waters. Trisiah breaks down the confirmed captures, explains the difference between fertile and sterile fish, and clarifies why finding individual fish doesn’t mean an established population has taken hold.

The conversation covers spawning conditions, DNA detections, the threat to aquatic vegetation, and how DFO decides where to look. The boys also ask what grass carp could mean for Ontario’s weed-filled lakes, where these fish might be coming from, and what anglers can do to help.

Before Trisiah joins, Ang and Pete debate the rise of the ChatterBait, question how much lure popularity comes down to marketing, revisit a Rice Lake tournament that sparked a run on Culprit worms, and share some memorable fish-identification mistakes.

Subscribe for more fishing stories, conservation conversations, and outdoor news with Ang and Pete!

The Fish’n Canada Store:
https://shop.fishncanada.com/ 

The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/

SAIL: The ultimate destination for your outdoor adventures
https://www.sail.ca/en-ca

J&B Cycle and Marine: Your home for all things powersports, boats and equipment
https://www.jbcycle.com/

Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat. Own the memories.
https://freedomcruisecanada.ca/

Learn about invasive carp:
https://invasivecarp.ca/

Report suspected invasive species in Ontario:
1-800-563-7711

For more than five years, this fishing lodge sat empty. Animals moved into the cabins, trees took over the property, and a once-thriving destination fell into disrepair. Now, Ang and Pete have returned from a visit—and they can’t stop talking about it.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, the boys welcome Two Rivers Lodge owner Will Pulowski to share how he brought the former Tetu Island Lodge back to life. Located where the English and Winnipeg rivers meet in northwestern Ontario, the property combines exceptional fishing with a few comforts you might not expect this far from home.

From big walleye and northern pike to daily shore lunches and a chef who trades stocks in the offseason, Ang and Pete break down what made their trip worth two full days on the road. Will also discusses the restoration, his plans for the lodge, and the work that goes into running a place where everyone gets to fish except the owner.

Before Will joins, the crew discusses Trey McKinney’s rise, debates what separates elite anglers from everyone else, and answers a listener’s criticism about where The Fish’n Canada Show chooses to film.

Crocodile surgery, a close call with a rabid dog, and a veterinary clinic shaking as bombs land nearby. Saving animals has taken Dr. Cliff Redford a long way from his practice in Markham.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome back The Worldwide Vet for another round of stories from his rescue missions around the world. Cliff explains how a morning of snorkeling turned into a fish rescue, what it takes to operate on a crocodile, and why he volunteered to help animals in wartime Ukraine.

The conversation also gets personal as Cliff discusses veterinary burnout, getting attached to his patients, and how these extraordinary trips help him keep loving the job. Plus, he shares the stories behind his new book, Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet.

Before Cliff joins, the boys talk small boats on the Great Lakes, Lake Superior’s “zombie” lake trout, and targeting channel catfish.

📖 Find Dr. Cliff’s book, Far and Wild
🎧 Hear his first appearance on Episode 230
🌎 More from Dr. Cliff

You don't need a boat to make great fishing memories, and you might be driving past water worth fishing.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete head back to the bank to talk overlooked shore-fishing spots, finding access to the water, and the childhood fishing trips that started it all. From Brook Trout creeks to bass along the shoreline and big walleye off docks, the crew explores why fishing with your feet on solid ground deserves another look.

Plus: peacock bass and piranhas, oversized bass baits, an Invasive Carp update, and why your favourite walleye lake can fish differently from year to year.

Where did you catch your first fish, and who took you? Share your story in the comments, and subscribe for more with Ang, Pete, and the crew.

Thank you to today's sponsors!
- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

Are you putting your boat away before the best walleye fishing of the year?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete break down their approach to fall walleye fishing after a listener asks whether it’s worth keeping his boat out past September. From big-water migrations on the Bay of Quinte to green weed beds on smaller lakes, the boys explain where they look as temperatures drop, how baitfish dictate their search, and what makes fall such a good opportunity to catch a personal best.

The conversation covers trolling versus jigging, when to match the hatch, why outrageous crankbait colours can work, and an old-school worm trick for fish that follow but won’t bite. Ang recalls a short window of topwater walleye fishing during a frog migration, while Pete shares the story of a nearly 12-pounder caught swimming a jig.

Plus, the blue walleye debate continues, the crew discusses invasive grass carp reports, and a story about orcas leaves everyone questioning how much we really know about predators.

What’s your biggest fall walleye, and what did you catch it on? Let us know in the comments.

Subscribe to Outdoor Journal Radio for more conversations with Ang, Pete, and the Fish’n Canada crew.

The forest is burning, but what’s happening beneath the water? This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete welcome back Dr. Steven Cooke to explore how wildfires affect fish—and why the damage can continue long after the flames are out.

From disappearing shade and changing food sources to ash-filled runoff and algae blooms, the Doc breaks down what fires mean for our lakes and rivers, how recovery happens, and why some fisheries may eventually benefit. Plus, does wildfire smoke create the fishing conditions we think it does?

The conversation also takes us inside the ongoing battle against sea lamprey, revisits the walleye-versus-pickerel debate, and tackles a question that still divides anglers: can fish sense forward-facing sonar?

Before the Doc joins, the boys discuss Lake Erie’s declining perch numbers, listener feedback on small boats in big water, and a Lake Ontario tournament that left Ang spending the night in an abandoned lighthouse.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Pete is away, leaving Ang behind the desk with Nik and Dean to break down one of the most unusual Fish’n Canada shoots of the season.

During a recent trip to Timberwolf Lodge on Nagagami Lake, Ang decided to remove the crew’s usual fishing safety net. The guys drew straws to determine who would be restricted to live bait, soft plastics, or hard baits, then had to make their assigned presentation work regardless of what the fish, weather, and constantly changing conditions threw at them.

The result was a fishing challenge that put experience, boat control, electronics, confidence, and adaptability to the test, while giving the crew a very different look at how a Fish’n Canada episode comes together behind the scenes.

Before getting into the trip, the guys tackle a listener who claims fishing line visibility is basically irrelevant, discuss reports of a rare contagious cancer appearing in fish, and answer a great fan question: if fishing shows had no sponsors, would everyone simply use live bait?

That leads Ang into an old sponsorship story he has never forgotten and a bigger debate over live bait versus artificials, why freshwater anglers sometimes look down on bait fishing, and whether catching fish has become more complicated than it needs to be.

Plus, Nik has updates from the Fish’n Canada Store, the guys tease another massive Garmin giveaway coming soon, and Ang makes the case for stronger voluntary catch-and-release practices on remote Canadian fisheries.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we’re going somewhere we’ve never gone before... LIVE into the Amazon.

Ang and Pete are joined by Brazilian anglers Bruno Fernandez and Thiago Fantini, who we first met at ICAST. The catch? Bruno and Thiago aren’t sitting in a studio. They’re calling us directly from the Amazon River in Brazil while hunting down some absolutely massive Peacock Bass.

With a very questionable internet connection and the jungle surrounding them, Bruno and Thiago take us along for the adventure. We talk Peacock Bass, the lures they rely on in the Amazon, how their fishing show got started, and what makes this fishery unlike almost anything else on Earth.

Along the way, they stumble across a wild snake, show us some of the tackle they’re using, and even bring us along for a proper Amazonian shore lunch.

Before heading to Brazil, Nik has some big Fish’n Canada Store news as the new Species Hoodies 2.0 officially hit the shelves, Ang shows off his newest shirt, and the boys get into this week’s Fan Question, fishing news, and your listener feedback.

It’s part podcast, part fishing trip, and part barely-connected live broadcast from the middle of the Amazon.

All that and more on this week’s Outdoor Journal Radio!

One cousin grew up in the city. The other grew up hunting, fishing and living off the land. Together, Joel and Ryan Primus created Finding Nowhere, a raw Canadian adventure series that climbed all the way to #4 on Prime Video.

On Episode 235 of Outdoor Journal Radio, Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman sit down with Joel and Ryan to uncover how Finding Nowhere began almost by accident and became one of the most compelling new outdoor productions in Canada.

They discuss why Joel’s first hunt happened on camera, how Ryan introduced his city-raised cousin to wilderness life, and why the show connects with hunters, non-hunters and anyone curious about living closer to the land. From sleeping in a century-old cabin filled with critters to fishing disasters, banana superstitions, post-hunt rituals and the responsibility of portraying hunting honestly, nothing is off the table.

The cousins also reveal what is coming next for Finding Nowhere, how their families are becoming part of the journey and why they refuse to sacrifice the show’s authenticity as its audience and sponsor support continue to grow.

Plus:

• New research suggesting Great Lakes bass may live more than 20 years
• Whether gobies, genetics and longer growing seasons are producing bigger bass
• The right way to handle unpredictable fish without taking a hook to the hand
• Ontario’s move toward digital fishing and hunting licences
• The spread of purple loosestrife and Canada’s invasive carp threat
• The official winner of the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 Giveaway

Shop Fish’n Canada merchandise:
https://shop.fishncanada.com

Subscribe to Outdoor Journal Radio for weekly conversations about fishing, hunting, conservation and life in the Canadian outdoors.

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One of Canada's longest-running fishing shows, Fish'n Canada travels from coast to coast in search of trophy fishing opportunities. First started by brothers Angelo and Reno Viola in 1986, The Fish’n Canada Show has been on the air for over 40 years. Today, Angelo is joined by lifelong fishing buddy, Peter Bowman, and the pair continue to travel across Canada, educating anglers using the experience they’ve gained over the years

How small is too small for the Great Lakes?

This week, Ang and Pete answer a listener who wants to take his 16-foot aluminum boat onto Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. The crew gives a blunt breakdown of where a smaller boat belongs, how fast calm water can become dangerous, and why even an experienced boater can get trapped when the wind turns.

The guys also return from Key Harbour Lodge at the mouth of the Key River, where they battled heavy rain, rough water, hidden granite, and some of Georgian Bay’s most overlooked fishing. With walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and barely another boat in sight, this boat-access-only lodge delivered a true Northern Ontario adventure.

Also in this episode:

• Does forward-facing sonar actually help anglers catch bigger fish?
• A new study puts modern fishing technology to the test
• The crew discovers an invasive goby in the Key River area
• Why Georgian Bay’s best fishing can also be its most intimidating
• Navigating unfamiliar water with charts, GPS tracks, and common sense

Why do bass crush lures that look absolutely nothing like anything they would naturally eat?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Pete and Angelo are joined once again by Fish’n Canada’s resident fish scientist, Dr. Steven Cooke, to break down the science behind modern fishing baits and one of the strangest lure crazes to hit the fishing world in years.

Fresh off ICAST, the guys dive into the exploding popularity of the bizarre urchin-style and Koike-inspired baits that anglers are scrambling to get their hands on, with some selling for hundreds of dollars online. What does a bass actually think it’s looking at when one of these things falls through the water? And more importantly, why does it work?

Dr. Cooke also breaks down what researchers actually find inside bass stomachs, why fish regularly eat lures that look nothing like their natural prey, the importance of colour, scent, vibration and action, and why classic presentations like worms, chatterbaits and other seemingly unnatural baits continue to catch fish.

Plus, the crew talks bait-selection strategy, how bass manipulate prey before swallowing it, the role of reaction strikes, why realistic-looking lures aren’t always better, and whether some of fishing’s forgotten old-school baits deserve another shot.

Also in this episode: listener feedback, invasive carp updates, the Fan Question of the Week, and this week’s Outdoor Journal Radio Bonus Code.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe for more fishing stories, science, news and everything happening in the Canadian outdoors.

Nearly 200 wildfires. Thousands forced from their homes. Fishing camps already lost. Water bombers being grounded because people keep flying drones into active fire zones.

Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Mike Harris Jr., joins Angelo Viola for a blunt breakdown of the wildfire emergency unfolding across Northern Ontario.

How dangerous is the situation? Should anglers cancel upcoming trips? What happens to remote lodges caught in the fire zone? And how do 700 firefighters, 120 aircraft and crews from across Canada begin to contain something this massive?

The Minister also reveals what Ontario is spending on wildfire protection, why some fires are deliberately allowed to burn and what outdoorspeople need to check before travelling north.

Plus, Ontario’s new digital hunting and fishing licence system, the rules around carrying your Outdoors Card and the mysterious “meanmouth bass” that reportedly attacks dogs and swimmers.

This is one every Canadian outdoorsperson needs to hear.

Angelo is joined by Nik and Dean Taylor to break down everything they saw at ICAST 2026, and the future of the fishing industry might not be looking as healthy as everyone thinks.

The world’s biggest fishing trade show felt noticeably smaller this year. Major brands were missing, attendance was down, entire award categories lacked competition, and a wine and champagne cooler somehow walked away as one of the show’s top fishing products. Is ICAST dying, or does the event simply need a serious overhaul?

The boys also discuss Garmin’s new LiveScope 2 HD and Spy Pole, the explosion of bizarre urchin-style baits, questionable Best in Show results, and whether opening ICAST to the public could save the event.

Before getting into the show, the crew breaks down Ontario’s upcoming digital hunting and fishing licensing system, whether wildfire smoke changes fish behaviour, and another absolutely brutal Air Canada travel disaster that left flights cancelled, bags misplaced, and Angelo stranded in Orlando.

Plus, encounters with fishing legends Bill Dance and Jimmy Houston, a surprise appearance from Steve Harvey, and plenty more from inside ICAST 2026.

Enter the Fish’n Canada contest at FishnCanada.com

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete are joined by Canadian veterinarian, world traveller, author, and animal rescue volunteer Dr. Cliff Redford, better known as Dr. Cliff Worldwide Vet.

Dr. Cliff owns Wellington Veterinary Hospital in Markham, Ontario, but his work has taken him far beyond the clinic. From helping street dogs in Jamaica and Egypt, to volunteering in India, performing veterinary work in Panama, and assisting animals and refugees near the Ukraine war zone, his stories are unlike anything we’ve had on the podcast before.

The guys talk to Dr. Cliff about what it’s like performing surgery in remote places with limited resources, documenting animal rescue work around the world, the emotional toll of veterinary medicine, burnout in the vet industry, and why he continues to put himself in uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situations to help animals.

He also shares stories from his upcoming book, Far and Wild: Adventures of the Worldwide Vet, including rescues, close calls, and the kind of moments you only find when you leave the safety of home and go where help is needed most.

Before the interview, the boys also talk Fish’n Canada store updates, classic TV vs. YouTube, leaky boat tricks, invasive species, browning lakes, and listener-submitted lure hacks.

If you love animals, outdoor adventure, conservation, travel stories, or just a wild conversation with someone living a seriously unique life, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more fishing stories, outdoor news, conservation talk, and behind-the-scenes conversations from The Fish’n Canada Show and Outdoor Journal Radio.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete are joined once again by Dr. Steven Cooke, the Fish Doc, to answer some of the strangest questions in fishing.

After a recent trip where the crew caught an unusually high number of blue walleye, the boys ask Dr. Cooke what actually causes a walleye to turn blue, whether blue walleye are a different species, and why many of them seem to look smaller, thinner, or less healthy than their yellow counterparts.

The conversation also dives into some of the weirdest behaviour anglers are now seeing with LiveScope, including suspended muskies pointing straight down, predator fish attacking bait balls, and whether fish can actually learn from pressure.

Plus, the guys talk about a massive Fraser River white sturgeon, blotchy bass, fish genetics, fish memory, carp lips in China, and why modern fishing technology is showing anglers things we may have never understood before.

If you’ve ever caught a blue walleye, seen something strange on your sonar, or wondered how smart fish really are, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more fishing stories, conservation talk, outdoor news, and behind-the-scenes conversations from The Fish’n Canada Show and Outdoor Journal Radio.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, the boys are back from La Réserve Beauchêne, one of Quebec’s most unique private fishing destinations.

With 50,000 acres, dozens of lakes, luxury accommodations, incredible food, and fish-filled water everywhere you look, Beauchêne is the kind of place most anglers dream about. But this trip came with a twist: instead of Ang and Pete doing the fishing, they coached a group of novice anglers through their first real taste of Canadian Shield fishing.

From broken rods and missed fish on day one to big smallmouth and a full transformation by the end of the trip, this episode is all about what happens when beginners get dropped into one of Canada’s most impressive fishing reserves.

The crew also talks about lead in wild game, whether anglers should be paying more attention to lead fishing tackle, reel maintenance, video podcasts, and Ang’s 25-year history with Beauchêne’s longtime manager, Tony.

If you love fishing lodges, Quebec fishing, smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, brook trout, or just a good old-fashioned fishing story, this one’s for you.

Make sure to listen for this week’s bonus code for extra entries into the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 giveaway.

Subscribe for more fishing stories, outdoor news, conservation talk, and behind-the-scenes stories from The Fish’n Canada Show and Outdoor Journal Radio.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, the boys head back to Northern Ontario for a wild recap of their trip to Red Pine Lodge on Ivanhoe Lake, just outside of Timmins.

What started as a post-spawn walleye mission turned into a 34-mile shallow river run through skinny water, tight channels, and a few moments where the boat probably had no business being where it was. With the help of Garmin electronics, the crew pushed deep into the river system and found exactly what they were looking for: blue walleye, regular walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and one seriously memorable honey hole.

The episode also covers new Fish’n Canada species hoodies, the legal side of leaving skin on pike fillets, grass carp awareness, Idaho’s new hunting tech rules, and some classic behind-the-scenes stories from 40 years of filming Fish’n Canada, including forgotten cameras, lost footage, brutal weather, and the eagle shot that got away.

If you like Northern Ontario fishing stories, walleye talk, old-school outdoor TV chaos, and a little bit of questionable decision-making in shallow water, this one’s for you.

Drop a comment and let us know: what fish species should be next in the Fish’n Canada hoodie lineup?

An Ontario seafood company has pleaded guilty to attempting to sell an angler-caught muskie, receiving a fine of just $2,000. Was the punishment enough, and how does a protected sport fish end up on the commercial market in the first place?

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Angelo Viola breaks down the bizarre case and the serious questions it raises about illegal fish sales, enforcement, and the future of Ontario’s muskie populations.

Later, Frank Ungaro from the Ugly Pike Podcast joins the show to discuss the growing popularity of muskie fishing, early-season tactics, custom lure culture, shallow-water giants, and why certain baits seem to catch fish while identical ones never get touched.

Also discussed:

• Ontario’s illegal muskie sale controversy
• Why the $2,000 fine has anglers frustrated
• Early-season muskie fishing tactics
• Trolling versus casting for muskies
• Custom muskie lures and proven “pullers”
• Giant fish from the St. Lawrence River
• The growing muskie fishing community
• Grass carp awareness and invasive species
• A possible mystery bone in northern pike fillets

Let us know in the comments: Was a $2,000 fine enough?

Subscribe for new episodes of Outdoor Journal Radio every week.

Is there really more than one species of smallmouth bass? This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, the crew dives into groundbreaking research suggesting the fish we all know may actually be made up of four distinct evolutionary lineages.

Plus, University of Victoria PhD candidate Wesley Greenree joins the show to explain how everyday anglers are helping scientists study Chinook salmon by collecting stomach samples, revealing surprising changes in the Pacific food chain and what they could mean for the future of our fisheries.

Also in this episode:

•  Could British Columbia produce the next Canadian record largemouth bass? 
•  Clearing up misconceptions about Apple AirTags and Bluetooth tracking 
•  A fascinating Northern Ontario walleye tournament format 
•  Proper tick removal and Lyme disease prevention 
•  The latest Fishing Canada updates and new merchandise 

Whether you're a hardcore angler or just love learning about fish and conservation, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

Outdoor Journal Radio hits the road to Timmins, Ontario for the Timmins Walleye Championship and the NOWT finals. Ang, Nik, and Dean break down the tournament, the Princecraft boat prizes, the difference between the championship and sportsman divisions, and what makes J&B Cycle and Marine such a hub for Northern Ontario anglers.

The crew also talks about their latest Fish’n Canada shoot, Nik’s brand-new iPhone taking a 13-foot swim, invasive grass carp, lone star ticks in Ontario, and why the guys don’t always measure every fish they catch.

Topics include: Timmins Walleye Championship, NOWT finals, Princecraft boats, J&B Cycle and Marine, invasive grass carp, lone star ticks, fishing tournaments, and behind-the-scenes Fish’n Canada stories.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete take the show on the road to the Franklin Club in Mount Albert, Ontario, one of the most unique private trout fishing clubs in the province.

Joined by Chad Davenport, hatchery and grounds manager at the club, the crew gets a behind-the-scenes look at how Franklin raises and stocks its own rainbow trout and brook trout, manages predation, protects fish health, and maintains one of the most pristine private fisheries around.

Plus, the boys talk invasive carp, pharmaceuticals showing up in Ontario waterways, pike wounds, private fishing rules, and the kind of trout fishing setup most anglers only dream about.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

A Bassmaster Open angler has been banned for life after allegedly attempting to track another competitor during a major tournament… and the deeper we dug into this story, the crazier it got.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down the shocking Bassmaster cheating scandal, the alleged use of hidden AirTags, tournament tracking, and how modern technology is changing competitive fishing forever.

From pro bass tournaments to fishfinder controversies, this may be one of the wildest stories the fishing world has seen in years.

Topics covered:
 • Bassmaster Open cheating scandal
 • Alleged AirTag tracking scheme
 • Tournament fishing controversy
 • How pro anglers scout fish
 • The future of cheating in competitive fishing
 • Bass fishing technology debate
 • Tournament ethics and enforcement

Plus:
 • Are modern electronics making cheating easier?
 • Should pro anglers stop guiding before events?
 • Could this happen in Canadian tournaments too?

Listen to Outdoor Journal Radio every week for the latest in fishing, hunting, conservation, and outdoor culture.

#Bassmaster #FishingScandal #BassFishing #TournamentFishing #OutdoorJournalRadio #FishingNews #BassmasterOpen #FishingPodcast #Livescope #CompetitiveFishing 

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

Vic Fedeli joins Outdoor Journal Radio to talk about the long-awaited return of the Northlander train, a major transportation project that could change the way anglers, families, tourists, and northern communities travel across Ontario.

After being cancelled in 2012, the Northlander is finally making its comeback with brand-new railcars, modern amenities, and routes connecting Toronto with Northern Ontario. The crew also discusses rising gas prices, road trip concerns, fish finders, invasive grass carp, old Fan 590 favourites, and a massive Garmin giveaway.

For anyone who loves fishing, hunting, tourism, or travelling into the North, this one matters.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we’re joined by Jay Legere, the YouTuber who quit the CBC to live in Canada’s most unforgiving environment.

After leaving behind a career in broadcasting, Jay turned his focus to documenting life in the North, cabin projects, harsh weather, remote builds, and the reality of figuring things out as he goes.

What makes Jay’s content stand out is the honesty. He is not pretending to be a polished expert with all the answers. He shows the mistakes, the problem-solving, the setbacks, and the wins that come with taking on cabin life in Northern Canada.

In this episode, we talk about his move from CBC to YouTube, working on remote cabins, surviving brutal northern conditions, dealing with wildlife, building an audience online, and what it actually takes to create a life and career in one of the toughest places in the country.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we dive deep into the growing tick problem across Canada, including Lyme disease, real-world risks, and what every outdoorsman needs to know before heading out this season.

We’re joined by Dr. Catherine Bouchard of the Public Health Agency of Canada, who breaks down:

Why tick populations are exploding in Canada
How Lyme disease actually spreads
The real odds of getting infected
What happens if you miss a tick bite
The most effective ways to protect yourself

We also share real stories from the field, including extreme bug conditions, close calls, and what it’s actually like dealing with ticks while filming in remote locations.

If you spend any time outdoors, this is information you can’t afford to ignore.

Watch now before your next trip.


00:00 Intro
02:00 Why ticks are a growing problem
08:00 YouTube controversy and flagged episode
21:00 What happens if ticks disappear
36:00 Expert interview: Dr. Catherine Bouchard
44:00 Lyme disease explained
52:00 How ticks spread and infect
1:00:00 Real risks and symptoms
1:08:00 How to protect yourself outdoors
1:20:00 Final takeaways

What’s really happening under your boat?

After 40 years of fishing, we finally got a look beneath the surface and what we saw completely changed how we think about fish, water clarity, and behavior.

In this episode, we sit down with the team behind some of the most advanced underwater filming ever done in the Great Lakes. Using cutting-edge drones and sonar, they’re capturing fish in ways anglers have never seen before. From spawning battles to feeding patterns in dirty water, this is the closest you’ll get to seeing the underwater world in real time.

We also break down one of the biggest misconceptions in fishing: how fish actually see in stained water. The answer might surprise you and it could change how you fish overnight.

Plus:

•  Wild fish behavior caught on camera 
•  New discoveries about where fish actually spawn 
•  How underwater tech is reshaping fishing forever 
•  A heated debate on whether skills should be taught or earned 

If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on below the surface… this one’s for you.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

What happens when the guy behind the camera is suddenly forced into the spotlight?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Dean Taylor steps into the co-host seat for the first time and opens up about something we’ve never discussed publicly before. After years working behind the scenes on The Fish’n Canada Show, Dean shares the real story of how he went from production to being on camera… despite a speech impediment he’s dealt with his entire life.

We also dive into:

•  What really goes on behind the scenes of Fish’n Canada 
•  DIY boat builds and why knowing your rig matters 
•  Close calls and breakdowns on the water that almost ended shoots 
•  The reality of filming outdoor TV under pressure 
•  Wild April Fools fishing stories that actually fooled us 

This is one of the most honest and personal conversations we’ve ever had on the podcast.

🎣 Whether you’re into fishing, filmmaking, or just love real stories from the outdoors… this is one you don’t want to miss.

Listen now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

A fishing school that sells out in under 2 hours?
 That’s exactly what’s happening.

John Anderson, Muskie’s Canada Hall of Famer, created the Ottawa Fish School to teach kids how to fish, tie knots, handle fish safely, and become stewards of the outdoors.

What started with 14 kids has exploded to 216… and every spot disappears almost instantly.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we talk about:

• The fishing school selling out every year
 • Teaching kids to be self-sufficient anglers
 • Why fishing is still exploding with youth
 • How parents are being dragged back into fishing
 • The future of fishing in Canada
 • Why this model is working
 • The next generation of anglers

This might be one of the most important fishing conversations we’ve had.

Fishing isn’t dying. It’s evolving.

What would it take for you to walk away from everything… and start over in the middle of nowhere?

That’s exactly what Shawn Trudel from Cabin River Outdoors did. He had no experience and no real plan. Just a piece of land deep in the wilderness and a camera.

Now he’s sitting on over 16 million views.

In this episode, we break down:

•  Why he left his old life behind 
•  What off-grid living in Canada is actually like 
•  How his YouTube channel blew up 
•  The reality of filming everything alone 
•  And whether this lifestyle is actually worth it 

We also get into gear, lost footage, YouTube growth, and the stuff nobody tells you about trying to make it doing this.

If you came for Shawn, stay for the full episode. There’s more here than just the interview.

Garmin just dropped one of the biggest fishing technology updates we’ve ever seen… and it might completely change how we fish moving forward.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down Garmin’s brand new 360 sonar system and the game-changing Spy Pole, a motorized turret that lets you lock onto structure, and scan water like never before. 

We go deep into:
 • What this new tech actually does
 • How it compares to LiveScope
 • Why this could be the biggest leap in fishing electronics in years
 • Real-world applications for bass, walleye, pike, and more
 • Whether it’s worth the investment

Plus:
 • A wild tournament cheating story that got an angler arrested
 • Fan questions about the future of multi-species tournaments
 • Why your favorite fishing content is suddenly blowing up on YouTube

If you’re serious about fishing, this is one episode you cannot miss.

Listen now and find out why this could be the future of the sport.

What REALLY goes on behind the scenes of the Toronto Sportsman Show?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with show manager Mike Blake to break down how one of Canada’s biggest outdoor events has evolved, what’s new this year, and why it still matters to anglers, hunters, and outdoor families.

But that’s not all…

We also dive into a bizarre real-life story of a man caught stealing over $1,000 worth of fishing lures from a Canadian Tire, and discuss what it says about the fishing industry today.

Plus:

• Fan question: the strangest places we’ve been recognized
• The reality of fishing theft and black-market gear
• Season 40 updates and behind-the-scenes insights
• Why the Sportsman Show is still a must-visit event

If you’re into fishing, hunting, outdoor shows, or Canadian outdoor culture, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe for more episodes of Outdoor Journal Radio every week.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman, Dean Taylor, and Nik Viola sit down with one of the most influential anglers in the digital fishing world, Jay Siemens.

Known for his cinematic storytelling, relentless work ethic, and massive online following, Jay has built one of the most successful fishing channels on YouTube. In this episode, we dive into how he did it, what it really takes to produce fishing content at that level, and how the world of outdoor media is rapidly evolving.

The conversation covers Jay’s life on the road filming fishing adventures, the realities of being a full-time outdoor creator, and the business side of building a modern fishing brand. We also talk about his work on Lake of the Woods, his involvement with Uncle Mark’s Outpost Cabin, and some of the exciting new projects he has in the works.

If you’re interested in fishing, YouTube content creation, or the future of outdoor media, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

After our two-part Bluefin Tuna series in Wedgeport and Canso, one question kept coming in: “How much does it actually cost to go tuna fishing in Nova Scotia?”

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang, Pete, and Dean break down the REAL numbers behind Canada’s Atlantic Bluefin fishery. From full-day charter prices and licensing rules to catch-and-release vs commercial harvest trips, we explain what you’re actually paying for — and why it may be one of the best big-game fishing values in the world.

We also dive into:
 • What’s included in a tuna charter
 • Why only a limited number of captains can operate
 • The short August–October window
 • Weather, hurricanes, and Atlantic conditions
 • The difference between 300lb and 600lb fish (and why size isn’t everything)
 • The culture behind the Wedgeport Tuna Festival

If you’ve ever dreamed of battling a 500+ pound Bluefin Tuna, this episode gives you the practical details you need before booking the trip.

Watch our Bluefin Tuna episodes from Wedgeport and Canso on the Fish’n Canada YouTube channel.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

A brand-new tournament series promises massive payouts, Bitcoin prizes, and a shot at the big leagues. Big names sign on. Anglers pay entry fees. The events begin. Then the checks bounce… and the organizer disappears.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang, Pete, and Dean break down the shocking Dual Threat Fishing scandal that rocked the bass world. How did experienced anglers get pulled in? What red flags were missed? And could this happen again?

The guys also share a personal story from the early days of Canadian tournament fishing that proves scams in this industry aren’t new. If you fish competitively, follow tournament circuits, or dream of going pro, this is a must-watch.

Plus:
 • What makes anglers vulnerable to scams
 • How social media legitimacy can be weaponized
 • Lessons every competitor should learn
 • Why this story matters beyond tournament fishing

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

Is “micro fishing” the next big thing in angling?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with Dr. Steven Cook from Carleton University to explore one of the most unusual fishing trends we’ve ever discussed: anglers targeting the smallest fish in the ecosystem on purpose.

We dive into:
 • What actually defines a “game fish”
 • Why species like bowfin and carp deserve more respect
 • The strange rise of micro fishing and species collecting
 • How tournament anglers really make decisions on the ice
 • What invasive carp do in winter
 • And whether pike should ever be considered invasive

Plus, we break down a fascinating study on how anglers make decisions during competition — and why even experienced fishermen can be swayed by dock talk.

If you love fishing science, fisheries management, conservation talk, and the occasional bizarre twist in the angling world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more conversations about fishing, conservation, freshwater science, and the stories behind the sport.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, our scheduled guest canceled at the last minute — so we pulled back the curtain instead.

From celebrating Season 40 of The Fish’n Canada Show to breaking down how long it REALLY takes to film an episode, the boys dive into the truth about fishing television. How many fish never make it to air? Do shows really film for days to get 22 minutes? And how different is YouTube from traditional broadcast TV?

We also cover:
 • The Idaho poacher who literally left his address on deer remains
 • The reality of conservation enforcement and invasive species
 • Grass carp updates and why anglers need to stay informed
 • How YouTube is changing the way fishing content is consumed
 • Honest reflections on 40 years in the outdoor industry

Plus, a listener question sparks one of the most honest discussions we’ve ever had about what viewers don’t see.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Mike Harris Jr. joins the show for a wide-ranging and candid conversation that every angler and boater should hear.

The discussion covers real-world fishing and boating issues across Ontario, including confusion around single barbless hook regulations, treble hook definitions, immediate release laws, fly fishing only waters, and recent changes to pleasure craft licensing. The crew also digs into conservation officer enforcement, invasive species threats, and how new technology like drones is being used for both safety and conservation.

This episode goes beyond headlines and gets into the details that affect everyday anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts across the province. Whether you fish northern fly-in lakes, southern Ontario rivers, or the Great Lakes, this is a must-listen conversation about access, conservation, and the future of fishing in Ontario.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this special episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with Canadian fishing icon Bob Izumi for an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation that spans four decades of fishing television, tournament angling, and conservation in Canada. 

Bob reflects on the rise and conclusion of The Real Fishing Show, what retirement really looks like after nearly 40 years on air, and why stepping away from TV brought both freedom and clarity. He opens up about the realities of building an independent fishing media business, the pressure behind the scenes, and how the industry has changed from the early days of Red Fisher to today’s digital-first world.

The conversation also dives deep into tournament fishing past and present, from the early flipping and pitching breakthroughs that dominated Ontario lakes, to the modern era of forward-facing sonar and electronics. Bob shares honest thoughts on aging in competitive fishing, adapting to new technology, and why today’s young anglers are more dialed-in than ever.

We also talk conservation, including Bob receiving the King’s Coronation Medal for his contributions to Canadian angling and environmental awareness, plus candid stories about sponsorships, retail, travel, and the grind that viewers never see on television.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the guys sit down with Rob Racine of J&B Cycle and Marine to talk boats, business, and how boating in Canada is changing.

Rob breaks down Freedom Cruise, a seasonal boat rental program that lets anglers and families enjoy a brand new boat all summer without the commitment of ownership. The conversation also dives into the Toronto Boat Show, how buyers actually shop for boats, and what today’s pricing, inventory, and demand really look like across Ontario.

The discussion expands into boat protection gear like Boat Armor, the rise of forward-facing sonar and marine electronics, and how modern technology is reshaping fishing strategy. Rob also shares insight into Northern Ontario tournament fishing, including the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail and what it takes to host major competitive events.

This episode is packed with real-world boating insight, industry knowledge, and behind-the-scenes perspective from one of Canada’s most active marine entrepreneurs.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

The Toronto Boat Show is here, and this week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down why this is the best time of year to buy a boat, what to look for on the show floor, and what new tech is shaping modern fishing boats.

We’re joined by Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, General Manager of Princecraft Boats, to talk about the unveiling of the new Platinum 190, how boat pricing really works at shows, ordering vs spring buying, financing options, and why aluminum construction still matters for Canadian anglers. JP also explains what buyers should actually be paying attention to beyond looks, including durability, electronics space, and long-term ownership.

We also dive into a wild fishing headline as Japan’s first tuna of 2026 sells for a staggering $3.2 million, why the first tuna of the year matters so much, and how tradition drives price more than quality.

Plus, a listener's question sparks a debate on music while ice fishing, whether sound and vibration affect fish, and when silence might actually help you catch more.

Topics covered:
 • Toronto Boat Show insider tips
 • Princecraft Platinum 190 first look
 • When and why to buy a boat at a show
 • Boat financing and rebates explained
 • Electronics, durability, and aluminum hull design
 • The $3.2 million first tuna of the year
 • Music vs silence while fishing
 • Invasive species awareness

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

How do you really know if the ice is safe before you step onto it?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the crew is joined by Dr. Paul Cooley, founder of NextGen Environmental Research and the mind behind Angler’s Leaderboard, to break down a groundbreaking new tool called Ice Time. Using satellite radar technology, Ice Time provides near-real-time ice condition data for lakes across Canada and beyond.

The conversation dives into how satellite radar can see through snow and darkness, how ice actually forms and shifts on large lakes, why pressure ridges are one of the biggest hidden dangers on ice, and how anglers, snowmobilers, and outdoor enthusiasts can use this data to make safer decisions before ever leaving home.

Topics covered include:

• How satellite radar maps ice thickness and ice types
• Why early-season and late-season ice is most dangerous
• How pressure ridges form, move, and collapse
• Real-world ice safety failures and what causes them
• How Ice Time can help anglers, guides, and winter travellers plan smarter trips

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who spends time on frozen lakes, whether you ice fish, snowmobile, skate, or travel winter ice roads.

Listen now and learn how modern technology is changing winter safety forever.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

It is the Outdoor Journal Radio holiday special and the final episode before the Christmas break. Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman, Dean Taylor, and Nik Viola sit down for a wide-ranging conversation that previews the upcoming 40th season of The Fish’n Canada Show and reflects on the stories, debates, and moments that shaped the year.

This episode includes a full breakdown of Season 40, with behind-the-scenes insight into upcoming destinations, fishing tactics, and what viewers can expect when the new season premieres in January. The crew also dives into listener feedback, conservation issues, invasive species concerns, and the ongoing debate around tournament fishing formats in Canada.

Along the way, the conversation covers Saskatchewan’s expanding wild turkey plans, water quality and fish consumption concerns, pro-am tournament structures, technology in fishing, and how the sport continues to evolve. It is a candid, unscripted holiday episode filled with fishing culture, industry insight, and classic Outdoor Journal Radio humour.

Whether you are a longtime fan of The Fish’n Canada Show or a new listener looking to understand where the show has been and where it is heading, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain during a milestone year.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

On today’s episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete sit down with Mark Melnyk, host of The New Fly Fisher, for one of the most in-depth conversations ever recorded about the show’s past, present, and future.

Mark opens up about the passing of Colin McKeown, how he stepped into the host role, and the massive behind-the-scenes workload that came with running a long-standing fly fishing institution. He also shares travel stories from Canada’s far north to Patagonia, explains how fly fishing documentaries are made, and reveals why guides are the real stars of the sport.

We also get into:
 • The origins of The New Fly Fisher and Colin’s legacy
 • How Mark developed the show's modern documentary style
 • Shooting fly fishing in remote, untouched waters
 • The insane logistics behind international fishing trips
 • Why 4K YouTube episodes changed everything
 • Mark’s early days with TSN, OLN, WFN, and “Reel Fishy Jobs”
 • What fans can expect in Season 25

Whether you’re a fly angler, a fan of outdoor TV, or just love behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories, this is a must-listen episode.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

On this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio,  Ottawa is dealing with a stormwater pond overflowing with goldfish and we brought in Dr. Steven Cooke to help us figure out what the hell is going on. Are goldfish spreading across Canada? Can they survive winter? And what should we do about them? 

We also dig into a surprising new concern with round gobies and their link to botulism in birds, how smallmouth bass behave when ice forms, and why Ontario’s salmon have dropped from forty pound giants to fish half the size. Grass carp updates, wildfire impacts, and a behind the scenes look at Canada’s fishing tourism industry round out one of our most loaded episodes yet. 

If you fish the Great Lakes, chase bass, love salmon, or care about invasive species, this is the episode you cannot miss.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we have a packed show from start to finish. We kick things off with updates on some of the wildest stories in Canadian fishing, including new details on the kayak tournament cheating scandal and why fellow anglers ended up turning the cheater in. We also break down the latest news on invasive Grass Carp in the Great Lakes and what anglers need to watch for this season.

From there, we look at FishingBooker’s new list of the best ice fishing destinations in Canada and debate what they got right, what they missed, and which lakes should really be at the top. We also answer a listener question about why we run console boats instead of full windshields, especially on big water.

Then we sit down with Princecraft’s new general manager, Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, for an inside look at the all new Platinum 190. JP walks us through the boat’s design, layout, construction, and the engineering that went into creating Princecraft’s flagship fishing platform for 2026. We also talk about what is happening behind the scenes in the Canadian boat-building world, from aluminum supply issues to new hull designs and how pontoons, deck boats, and fishing boats are evolving.

Topics covered
 • New details in the kayak tournament cheating scandal
 • Grass Carp updates and what anglers need to report
 • Canada’s top ice fishing destinations for 2026
 • Why Fish'n Canada runs console boats
 • First look at the Princecraft Platinum 190
 • How the new hull design boosts speed and efficiency
 • What JP learned from 17 years inside Princecraft
 • The future of aluminum boats in Canada
 • Deck boats vs pontoons vs deep-V fishing rigs

Whether you are shopping for a new boat, following Canadian fishing news, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from the water, this episode has something for you.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

A recent kayak bass tournament uncovered one of the strangest cheating attempts we’ve seen: a competitor staged his photo submissions using a cut-up kayak mounted on a full-size bass boat. The story raised bigger questions about how tournaments are policed and where competitive fishing is headed.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang and Pete walk through the details of the incident and the growing challenges facing modern tournaments. Then we’re joined by Andy Pallotta, owner of the CSFL, to discuss the state of Canadian competitive fishing from someone who deals with these issues every day.

Topics covered:
 • How the fake-kayak cheating setup actually worked
 • Why cheating persists even in small-stakes events
 • The ongoing debate around forward-facing sonar
 • Whether tournament rules need to change
 • The divide between “pro” and “semi-pro” anglers
 • How technology is reshaping competition
 • Updates on the Bay of Quinte Walleye Festival
 • Where Canadian tournament fishing is trending

If you’re interested in competitive fishing, rule changes, or the future of the sport, this episode offers a clear look at what’s happening behind the scenes.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

Great white shark sightings in Atlantic Canada are rising fast — but what’s driving the boom? In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, hosts Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman dive into the science behind the growing shark population off Canada’s east coast.

From rebounding seal numbers to shifting ocean temperatures, the guys explore how these apex predators are reclaiming their role in the marine food web. Joining them is Dr. Nigel Hussey from the University of Windsor, one of Canada’s leading shark researchers, to share new findings from satellite tagging and field studies that are reshaping what we know about Great Whites in northern waters.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion about how climate change, conservation, and ecosystem balance are fueling this remarkable wildlife comeback.